US2571463A - Foldable reclining article of furniture - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1951 A, LQRENZ 2,571,463

FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed May 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 x6 I4 66 i0 62 Oct. 1s, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,571,463

FOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed nay 22. 1945 5 sheds-sheet 2 fa: e2

/44 INVENTOR ,4mm/v off/vz @WT-Z ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1951 A. LORENZ FOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE 5 sheets-sheet s Filed lay 22. 1945 mvENTon BY ATToRNEY OC. 16, A QRENZ FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filedl llay 22. 1945 ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1951 A, L QRENZ 2,571,463

FOLDBLE RECLINING ARTICLE 0F FURNITURE Filed llay 22, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ,4A/70N [Ufff/VZ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 9 Claims.

My invention relates to chairs, and more particularly to foldable reclining chairs, wherein the back-rest and the seat form two members of a polygonal link-system swingably mounted on a support. wherein a controlling mechanism is provided for controlling the movements of the pivotally interconnected members of the polygonal link-system during a movement from one position into another one when the chair is set up. and wherein said polygonal link-system and said support are foldable, so that the chair may be collapsed.

An object of my invention is to provide a foldable reclining chair of above described type, which may be readily collapsed or set up in its entireness by gripping the back-rest and the seat and does not require any separate manipulation for collapsing or setting up the support.

A further object of my invention is to provide a foldable reclining chair oi! above described time. wherein the principal elements oi' the mechd anism controlling the movements oi' the members of the polygonal link-system are concealed by other parts of the chair.

Another object oi' my invention is to provide a foldable reclining chair of above described type, wherein the movable members of the chair are very well balanced, so that an occupant resting in the chair may bring the movable members of the chair from one position into another position without great eifort.

Still another object of my invention is to improve upon foldable reclining chairs now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specii'lcation and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a foldable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an arm-rest or top connecting link of the chair shown in Fig. i, in an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view oi' the chair shown in Fig. l, a portion of the cushion shown in said Fig. 3 being broken away,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the chair shown in Fig. i, taken on line I-I of Fig. 1, in an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of thechair shown in Fig. 1, taken on line B-B oi Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view oi' the chair shown in Fig. 1, taken on line 6-8 of Fig. 1, in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the chair, partly in section, similar to that shown in Fig.,l, wherein, however, the movable members of the chair are in the extreme reclined position,

Figs. 9-12 are diagrammatical illustrations of the chair shown in Fig. 1, illustrating various steps during the collapsing and setting up of the chair,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional viewr of a different embodiment of an arm-rest or top connecting link of a chair according to the invention,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an arm-rest and a different embodiment of the upper portion of the uprights of a chair according to the invention,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of an arm-rest of a chair according to the invention, taken on line IB-Ii of Fig. 16,

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line IB-IE of Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line i'l-Il of Fig. 15,

Fig. 18 illustrates a different embodiment of a connecting slide element of the chair provided with a spring stop for holding the back-rest in its position, partly in section,

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view o! 'a modification of the arm-rest and the controlling slide element shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a roller connection between the arm-rest and the back-rest of a chairv according to the invention,

Fig. 2l is a sectional view taken on line 2I-2I of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of a diii'erent embodiment of a. toldable reclining chair, according to the invention,

Figs. 23 and 24 are diagrammatical illustrations of two steps during the collapsing of the chair shown in Fig..22, and

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a dierent embodiment of the upper portion of the uprights of a chair according to the invention.

Referring now'to Fiss. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, 1li gen- 3 erally indicates the foldable support of a foldnble reclining chair according to the invention. Said support 28 comprises a rear upright or leg 22 on each side of the chair, said rear uprights or legs heilig rigidly connected with each other by .f1 bracing element 24. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, said rear uprights 22 and bracing element 24 are of a U-shaped member made of tubular material, but it is understood that the rear uprights may be built and may be connected with each other in a different manner. Fui'- thermore, said support 28 comprises a front upright or leg 26 on each side of the chair, said f front uprights or legs being connected with each other by a bracing element 28. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, said front uprights 26 and bracing element 28 are made of a U-shaped member of tubular material, but it is understood that the front uprights may be built and may be connected with each other in a different manner. Each of the front uprights 26 has a pair of extensions 30 at its upper end, said extensions forming a fork. The extensions 30 are bent at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the front upright 26 and are pivoted to the rear upright 22 at 32. so that the front upright 26 may swing about the axis 32. A shoulder 34 is formed at the upper end of the front upright 26 between the extensions or arms 30. Said shoulder 34 fo'rms an abutment for engagement with the rear upright 22 when the rear and front uprights are in the spread position shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, so that the rear and front uprights are automatically stopped in said spread position, when the chair is set up. On the other hand, as will be readily understood, said stop means 34 do not require a separate unlocking manipulation, when the chair is to be collapsed.

36 indicates the frame of tubular material of a back-rest having a lug 38 at its lower end on each side of the chair. As best shown in Fig. 3 a series of spring loaded steel bands 48 or the like is stretched between the side frames of the back-rest, 36 for supporting a cushion 42 (shown in said Fig. 3 but not shown in the other iigures of the drawings).

44 indicates a seat comprising two side bars of tubular material connected with each other by a stirrup 46 and a cross-bar 48 forming a handle for an operation to be described hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 5, spring-loaded steel bands 58 are stretched between the side bars of the seat to support the cushion 42 shown in Fig. 3. 'I'he rear end of the seat 44 is pivoted to the lugs 38 of the back-rest and to the rear uprights 22 at 52.

54 indicates the U-shaped frame of tubular material of a leg-rest, pivoted to the front end of the seat 44 at 56. As shown in Fig. 3, springloaded steel bands 58 stretched between the side bars of the leg-rest 54 serve to carry the cushion 42.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the leg-rest 54 has on each side of the chair a flattened extension 6U rigidly connected with the frame of the leg-rest. Said ilattened extension 68 forms a front connecting link plvoted at its lower portion to the front portion of the seat 44 at 56 and operatively connected with the leg-rest 54 for controlling the movements thereof about the pivot 56 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A top connecting link generally indicated by 62 is arranged on each side of the chair. The front end of said top connecting link is bent downwardly, and pivoted to the upper end of the front connecting link 68 at 64. As best shown in Figs. l, 2, 4, 6, '7 and 8, each top connecting link 62 is made of a hollow tubular material. A wooden bar 66 resting on top of the top connecting link and providing the chair with an arm-rest is secured to brackets 66 of the top connecting link 62 by screws 18. A portion of the top connecting link 62 is provided with a longitudinal slot 12 at its lower part. As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8, a ring 14 having a bore 16 is inserted into the rear end of the top connecting link 62. Said ring 14 forming a stop or abutment for a purpose to be described hereinafter is secured to the wall of the top connecting link by any suitable means (not shown). Likewise, a ring or stop 18 having a threaded bore 88 is placed into and secured to the top connecting link 62 near the end of the longitudinal slot 12. A guiding element or guiding rod 82 passing through the bore 16 of the ring 14 is threaded into the threaded bore of said ring 16. Thus, said guiding rod 82 is arranged within the hollow portion of the top connecting link and is concealed by the wall of the top connecting link. A rear connecting link 84 has a bore 86 for slidable engagement with said guiding rod 82. The main portion of said rear connecting link 84 is concealed, but a part of said rear connecting link passes through the slot 12 of the top connecting link and is pivoted to the backrest 36 at 8B. Thus, the axis of said bore 86 or shiftable connection between the rear connecting link and the guiding rod of the top connecting link is eccentric to the pivotal connection 88 between the rear connecting link and the backrest.

Above described back-rest 36, seat 44, and pair of connecting links 68, 62 form a quadrilateral link-system on each side of the chair. Said quadrilateral link-system is swingably mounted on the rea;` uprights 22 for movement about the axis of the pivot 52 on each side of the chair.

When the chair is set up as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the movements of the members 36, 44, 68, 82 of said quadrilateral link-system are controlled by the following controlling mechanism: On each side of the chair a controlling slide element lll having a bore 92 (see Fig. 4) receiving the guiding rod 82 slidably receives said guiding rod. The main portion of said controlling slide element or controlling link is concealed by the wall of the top connecting link 62. A portion of said slide element or controlling link 98 passing through and projecting from the slot 12 has a. bore 84 for swingable engagement with a pivot 96 or the like mounted on a iiattened upward extension 98 of the rear upright 22. When the chair is set up, on each side of the chair the rear connecting link or connecting slide block 84 is in engagement with the stop 14 as shown in Fig. 1. When the occupant, resting in the chair, leans the weight of his body against the back-rest 36. the latter swings about the pivot 52 and at the same time the guiding rod 82 operatively connected with the back-rest 36 through the connecting slide block 84, ring 14, top connecting link 62, and ring 18 is drawn through the bore of the controlling slide block 98. Said controlling slide block 90 swings about the pivot 96 and controls at the same time the movements of the members of the quadrilateral link-system, so that said members may be brought into the extreme reclined position limited by the engagement o! the stop 18 with the front edge of the controlling slide block Il as shown in Fig. 6. At the same time, the front connecting link 66 rigidly connected with the leg-rest 64 swings the latter about its pivot 66 from the position shown in Fig. 1 into the substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 6. The movable members oi the chair may be readily returned from the extreme reclined position shown in Fig. 8 into the sitting position shown in Fig. 1 by a slight pressure of the legs of the occupant against the legrest 64. The sitting position is limited by the engagement of the stirrup I6 with a cross angle bar IBB arranged between the front uprights 2B. As shown in Fig. 5. the stirrup I6 contacts the cross angle bar IBB substantially in the center of the chair, so that the clothes of the occupant cannot be caught in between the elements limiting the sitting position. During the movement of the movable members of the chair from the sitting position into a reclined position and vice versa. the connecting slide block or rear connecting link 64I remains in engagement with the stop or abutment 14, so that the top connecting link 62 is positively coupled with said rear connecting link 64.

The above described concealed arrangement ol the guiding rod 62 and the main portions oi the connecting slide block Bl and controlling slide blocks 9B on each side of the chair makes a nice and attractive appearance of the chair.

In order to hold the movable members of the chair in any desired comfortable position, the following locking device is arranged on the chair. As best shown in Figs. l and 4, one of the controlling slide elements BB is in the shape of a clip. The pivot 96 passing through the bores 94 of the ends IB2 of the clip BB has a head IBC resting against the extension 9B of the rear upright 22. The pivot 96 is prevented from rotation by its square portion IB6 engaged with a corresponding square opening oi the extension 96. A bushing IBB surrounding the pivot B6 is interposed between one end III2 of the clip 9B and a locking knob I III screwed on the threaded end of the pivot B6. Said locking knob IIB has a bore III in engagement with the cylindrical portion I I3 of a screw II5 threaded into a threaded bore of said threaded end of the pivot B6. When the locking knob IIB is in the locking position shown in Fig. 4, the head III oi' said screw IIB is at a distance from the shoulder III formed in the bore I I I of the locking knob IIB. When the locking knob IIB is loosened, so that the shoulder IIB is moved to the lett hand as viewed in Fig. 4, the shoulder IIB may come into engagement with the head I Il of the screw I I6, whereby an undesired removal of the locking knob IIB from the pivot 96 is prevented. When the locking knob lill is loosened and the shoulder IIS engages the head II'I of the screw as mentioned above, the clip 9B may be freely moved relative to the guiding rod 82. so that the movable members ot the chair may be brought from one position into another one. When the locking knob IIB is tightened, the bushing IBB is pressed against the end IB2 of the clip 9B, whereby the latter is tightened on the guiding rod 62, so that, in turn, the movable members of the chair are held in their position.

As best shown in Figs. l and 4 an actuatins element or pin I I2 secured to the seat M projects therefrom for a temporary engagement with the front upright 26 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Preferably, said actuating element II2 is provided with a roller Ill rotatably chair is set up. said pin II2 is disengaged from the front upright 26 so as to prevent free swinging movements of the seat 4l from the position shown in Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 8 and vice versa.

When it is desired to collapse the chair, the following operations are carried out: 'I'he locking device IIB is loosened, and the movable members o! the chair are brought into the sitting position shown in Fig. l. Then, the chair is gripped by hand at the upper end of the back-rest and at the handle 4B, which may be reached through an opening IIB in the cushion (see Fig. 3). When, after gripping the chair at the back-rest and the handle I8 the chair is moved into the position shown in Fig. 9 by swinging the chair about the lower end o! the rear upright 22 which remains in contact with the ground, the front upright 26 swings automatically by its own weight from the position shown in Fig. l into the position shown in Fig. 9, wherein it comes in contact with the actuating pin II2. while the connecting slide block B4 remains in contact with the stop 1l. During a further folding oi the chair, the back-rest 36 starts to swing about the pivot 62 while the connecting slide block 64 is disengaged from the stop Il and moves along the guiding rod of the top connecting link 62, as shown in Fig. l0. When the folding of the chair is continued, the back-rest 36 is further swung about the pivot 52 and the seat M starts to swing about the pivot 52, whereby the actuating pin I I2 slides along the front upright 26 and permits a further swinging of the latter by its own weight about the pivot 62, until the members of the chair reach the collapsed position shown in Fig. 11. As will be readily understood, there is no separate manipulation necessary for bringing the rear and front uprights 22 and 26 of the support into the collapsed position. The above described gripping of the back-rest and seat at the two specied points causes an automatic collapsing o1' all elements oi the chair including the rear and front uprights of the support.

In order to set up the chair, the collapsed chair is gripped at the upper end of the back-rest and at the handle 46 as shown in Fig. 1l. The lower end of the rear upright 22 is placed on the ground. and the seat M is swung downward about the pivot 62. During this swinging movement of the seat 44, the actuating pin I I2 contacts the front upright 26 and brings same automatically into the spread position shown in Fig. i0. Furthermore, the back-rest 36 is swung about the pivot 62 into the position shown in said Fig. 10. Then, the entire chair is swung about the lower end of the rear upright 22 until the iront upright 26 hits the ground as shown in full lines in Fig. l2. Furthermore, the back-rest B6 is swung about the pivot 62 whereby the connecting slide block Il comes into engagement with the stop Il as shown in Fig. 12. Now, the weight of the chair or a slight pressure down on the black-rest I6 causes a sliding of the lower end of the rear upright 22 along the ground with a simultaneous swinging of the i'ront upright 26 about its lower end contacting the ground, so that the rear and front uprights oi the chair are brought automatically into the fully spread position shown in dash and dot lines, which corresponds to the spread position shown in Fig. 1 and is limited by the shoulder Il of the front upright 2l contactingtberearuprightu. Aswillbereadily understood, the setting up of the chair does not require any other manipulation in addition to the gripping oi' the chair at the two points specied above.

Moreover, as will be apparent from above, the shiftable connection between the top connecting link 62 and the rear connecting link 34 permits a collapsing and setting up of the link-system of the chair. The stop 14 mounted on the rear end of the top connecting link 62 forms means associated with said shiftable connection for converting same into a positive coupling when the link-system of the set-up chair is under load, whereby a constrained link-mechanism with controlled movements of its movable links is formed.

Fig. 13 illustrates a different embodiment of the top connecting link, which may be substituted for the top connecting link shown in Figs. l, 2 and 8. According to Fig. 13 the top connecting link generally indicated by 62a comprises a front portion |20l the front end of which is pivoted to the front connecting link (not shown) and the rear end of which is provided with a ilange |22. A block or limiting element 18a having a threaded bore 30a is secured to said flange |22 by screws |24, and the front end of an armrest 66a is secured to said block 18a by a screw |23. A block or limiting element 14a having a bore 16a is secured to the rear end of said armrest 56a by a screw |28. The threaded end of the guiding rod 82 passing through the bore 16a is screwed into the threaded bore a of the block 13a. In the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 8 the connecting slide block 84 slidably engaged with the guiding rod 82 is pivoted to the back-rest 3G at 88. Furthermore, the controlling slide block 90 pivoted at 96 to the extension of the rear upright (not shown) is slidably engaged with said guiding rod 82. As will be readily understood, according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the guiding rod 82 and the slide blocks engaged therewith are not concealed.

Fig. 14 illustrates a diierent embodiment of the upper portion of the rear upright 22h and front upright 2Gb, which may be substituted for the rear and front uprights of the chair shown in Figs. l and 7. According to Fig. 14 the upper end of the rear upright 22h has a longitudinal slot |30, and the upper end of the front upright 26h has a single extension or arm 30h passing through said slot |30 and extending into the hollow portion of the rear upright 22h. The extension or arm 30h is pivoted to the rear upright 22h at 32h. The flattened end of the front upright 26h forming said arm 30h is provided with a shoulder 34h abutting against the rear upright 22h when the rear and front uprights are in the spread position. Furthermore, contrary to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the upper end of the rear upright 22h shown in Fig. 14 is stiaight and has no upward extension arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the rear upright. Instead of such an upward extension of the rear upright, the portion of the controlling slide element 90b projecting from the slot 12 of the top connecting link G2 is of a larger dimension than the corresponding portion of the controlling slide element 90 shown in Figs. 1 and '7. According to Fig. 14, the controlling slide element 30h slidably engaged with the guiding rod 82 is pivoted to the upper end of the rear upright 22h and 90b.

Moreover, Fig. 14 illustrates a pin or stop |32 inserted into a bore oi' the guiding rod 32 for abutting engagement with the rear edge of the controlling slide element 30h when the movable parts of the chair are in the sitting position, so as to limit said sitting position. Such a stop |32 may be arranged in the chair, when the dimensions thereof are designed in such a way that, during the collapsing of the chair, the extreme right-hand position of the connecting slide block 84 slidably mounted on the same guiding rod 82 as the controlling slide element 90b is at the left hand side of the stop |32. Of course. if the stop |32 is arranged in the chair, the limiting means 46, |00 shown in Fig. 1 may become unnecessary.

Figs. 15-1'7 illustrate a different embodiment of the top connecting link generally indicated by 62e, which may be used, if it is desired to have a stop |32c cooperating with the controlling slide element 90 for limiting the sitting position, when the dimensions of the chair are such that, during the collapsing of the chair, the connecting slide block 84e reaches a position 34e' (see Fig. 16) which is farther to the right than the rear edge of the stop |320. According to Figs. 15-17, the top connecting link 62e comprises a member |34 substantially in the shape of an inverted U, which is connected with the front portion |200 of the top connecting link by screws |36. A wooden bar 66e forming the arm-rest of the chair is screwed to the upper surface of said member |34 by screws |33. A block `|4c having a bore 16e and forming a stop is arranged within the member |34 at the rear end thereof and is secured to said member |34 by a screw |40. Furthermore, a block |42 provided with a threaded bore |44 and arranged within the member |34 is secured to the latter by a screw |46. The threaded end of a first guiding rod |48 passing through the bore 16e of the block l4c is threaded into the threaded bore of the block |42. A connecting slide block 34e having two lugs |50 with bores for engagement with said first guiding rod |48 is slidably mounted on said first guiding rod |48. Said connecting slide block 04o is provided with a bore |52 for a pivotal connection with the back-rest (not shown). Furthermore, a block |32c provided with a bore |54 and arranged within the member |34 is secured thereto by a screw |56; likewise, a block l3c provided with a threaded bore e and arranged within the member |34 is secured thereto by a screw |58. Said blocks |32c and 18e form stops for the controlling slide element slidably mounted on a second guiding rod |60 passing through the bore |54 and screwed into the threaded bore 00e. Thus, according to Figs. 15-17, the connecting slide element 04e and the controlling slide element 90 are arranged on different guiding rods |43 and |60 respectively in such a manner, that they cannot interfere with each other during any movement of the movable elements of the chair. Furthermore, according to Figs. 15-17, the two guiding rods |48 and |60 as well as the main portions of the slide elements are concealed by the wall of the member |34.

Fig. 18 illustrates a different embodiment of a rear connecting link or connecting slide element 84d which may be used instead of the connecting slide element 34e shown in Fig. 15 or instead of the connecting slide element 34 shown in Fig. 1. According to Fig. 18, the element 84d has two arms |5||d provided with bores for slidable engagement with the guiding element or atrasos guiding rod 02d of the top connecting link 02d. Furthermore, said element 04d has a bore Illd for receiving the pivot connecting the element 04d with the back-rest (not shown in Fig. 18). Moreover, the element 04d is provided with a housing |02 provided with a longitudinal bore |04 having a threaded end for receiving a screw |00. A ball is arranged at the open end of the housing |02 opposite the screw |00, and a spring interposed between said screw |00 and said ball |00 tends to urge said ball into a circular groove |12 arranged on the guiding rod 02d. As will be readily understood, the elements |00, |10, |00. and |12 form a spring stop tending to hold the back-rest in its position relative to the top connecting link, when the chair is set up. On the other hand, of course, the action of the rather weak spring |10 may be readily overcome, when, for the collapsing of the chair, the back-rest and the connecting slide element 04d connected therewith are to be moved in right-hand direction as viewed in Fig. 18.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 19 illustrating a top connecting link 02 and a controlling slide element 00 substantially corresponding to the arrangement and construction of these members shown in Fig. 2, a nose |14 is arranged at the front edgeof said controlling slide element 00. The top connecting link 02 is provided with a slot |10, and the arm-rest 00 has a recess |10. One end of a spring |80 is secured to the top connecting link 02 by means of screws |02, and a stop |04mounted on the other end of said spring |00 projects through said slot |10 into the path of the nose |14 on the controlling slide element 00. Fig. 19 illustrates the members of the chair in the sitting position corresponding to the sitting position shown in Fig. l. The elements |14, |04, |00 form a spring stop which prevents an automatic movement of the movable members of the chair from the sitting position shown in Fig; l into the reclined position shown in Fig. 0 by the action of the weight of the back-rest 00, when the user of the chair gets up from the chair and overlooks to hold the members of the chair in the sitting position by means o1' the locking knob ||0 described above. Of course, the action of the rather weak spring |00 of the spring stop may be readily overcome, when the user of the chair resting in the chair leans the weight of his body against the back-rest, so as to bring the members of the chair from the sitting position shown in Fig. 1 into the reclined position shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 19, furthermore. illustrates limiting means |00. |00 for limiting the sitting position, which may be used instead of the stirrup 40 and the cross angle bar |00 shown in Fig. 1. Said limiting means comprise a nose |00 mounted on the rear end of the controlling slide block 90 for coaction with a stop |00 formed on the top connecting link 02. When the members of the chair are in the sitting position, the nose |00 abuts against said stop |00.

It is understood, that a controlling slide element 00 according to the invention must not necessarily be equipped with both the spring stop |14, |04, |00 and the limiting means |00, |00 as shown in Fig. 19. If desired. only one of said two devices may be arranged on the controlling slide element 00.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a roller |00 cooperating with the guiding rod 02 of the top connecting link 02e. which may be used instead of the slide elements shown and described in other figures, except for a slide element equipped with a. locking device ||0 as described above. According to Figs. 20 and 2l. a screw |02 passing through bores of a clip or guide |04 partly surrounding the roller |00 and passing through the bore o! said roller |00 is secured to the backrest 00. When the chair is under load, the guiding rod 02 is pressed against the groove in the roller |00. so that the roller may roll along the guiding roo. 02 during movements of the movable members of tle chair. The upper portion of the clip or guide |04 embracing the guiding rod 02 prevents an undesired disengagement of the connecting element formed by said clip |04 from the guiding rod 02. if for example the chair is lifted by gripping the top connecting link.

The foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 substantially corresponds to the ioldable reclining chair shown in Figs. 1 and 8. so that it is unnecessary to describe the chair in detail insofar as the elements and their operations are the same as in the chair shown in said Figs. 1 and 8. Hereinafter, only those parts will be described, which are not shown in Figs. 1 and 8 or differ from corresponding elements shown in Figs. l and 0.

According to Fig. 22, the front connecting link 001' and the leg-rest 041 form separate members, which are not rigidly connected with each other. The front connecting link 00! and the leg-rest 04! are pivoted to the front end of the seat 44 at 00. According to Fig. 22, the front connecting link 00) is provided with a controlling surtace in the shape of a controlling lug |00, and the leg-rest 04j is urged against said lug |00 by means of a spring |00. Thus. when the movable members 00, 44, 00j, 02 of the chair are brought from one position into another one. the movements of the leg-rest 04! are controlled by the iront connecting link 00! through the medium of the lug |00. If desired, however, the leg-rest 04! may be disengaged from said lug |96 and may be brought, for example, into the position 04]' shown in Fig. 22. wherein it may be held by means of a lifting rod 200 slidably and adjustably arranged in the holding device 202 mounted on a lug 200 secured to the seat 44. The lifting rod 200 may be held in its adjusted position by means of a locking knob 204. The operation and construction of the holding device 202, 204 substantially corresponds to the locking device 90, ||0 described above in connection with Fig. 4. The arrangement of a disengageable leg-rest controlled by a controlling surface in the shape of a controlling lug on the front connecting link is described in detail in my co-pending U. S. patent application Ser. #559.752 filed on October 21, 1944, for An Adjustable Reclining Chair," which case is now abandoned.

The collapsing oi.' the foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 may be carried out substantially in the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. 9-11 for the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 23 illustrates an intermediate position of the various members of the chair shown in Fig. 22 during the collapsing thereof. Said Fig. 23 corresponds to Fig. 10. According to Fig. 23, however, the leg-rest 04j abutting against the lifting rod 200 is at an angle to the front connecting link 00]. During the further collapsing of the chair, the members thereof are brought from the position shown in Fig. 23 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 24. Thereafter, the leg-rest 04j may be gripped by hand and raised into the position ll!" shown in dash lines, I

whereupon the collapsed chair may be placed against the wall with the leg-rest contacting the wall, so that the spring |98 shown in Fig. 22 cannot return the leg-rest into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 24. If desired, however, holding means ol any kind may be arranged on a suitable member of the chair for holding the legrest in the position shown in dash lines in Fig. 24, when the chair is collapsed.

When the foldable reclining chair shown in Fig. 22 is to be set up, at first the leg-rest is brought from the position 54j" shown in Fig. 24 into the full line position 54j shown in said Fig.

24, whereupon the setting up of the chair is carried out in the same manner as described above in connection with Figs. l1 and 12 for the chair shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

Under certain circumstances the dimensions of the chair may require, that the element 18j (see Fig. 22) is at such a distance from the controlling slide element Sil, that it cannot be used as a'stop for limiting the extreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair. In such a case, for example, a stop 206 may be arranged on the rear upright 22 as shown in Fig. 22, against which the back-rest abuts, when it reaches the extreme reclining position 36'.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 25 the controlling element 90g slidably arranged on the guiding rod 82 of the top connecting link G2 is pivoted at 86 to the flattened end 2I|l of the front upright 26g. I I0 indicates the locking knob as described above. According to Fig. 25 the rear upright 22g is provided with a slot 2 I 2 at its lower side, and a lug 2M secured to the front upright 26g is inserted into said slot 2|2 and pivoted to the rear upright 22g at 32. A shoulder ZIB arranged at the end oi the rear upright 22g for engagement with the front upright 26g serves to limit the extreme spread position of the uprights as shown in Fig. 25. As will be readily understood, the front upright 26g may be swung about the pivot 32 for collapsing the chair. The embodiment shown in Fig. 25 may be arranged in the chair shown in Fig. 1 or in the chair shown in Fig. 22.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose oi illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion or arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described. may be made without departing from the spirit and scope oi the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foldable reclining article of furniture, comprising: a. foldable support, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of said pair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiftable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pair of links and the support, a front connecting link, the lower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi said seat, the upper portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connt.-

ing link and said top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said rear connecting link during a setting-up of the article, the axis of said last-mentioned shiitable connection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest. and an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly.

2. A foldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a foldable support including a pair of connected front legs and a pair of connected rear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arranged on a leg of one of said pairs of legs for abutting engagement with a leg of the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread position of said legs, a pair oi links, including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of said pair oi links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiftable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pair of links and the support, a front connecting link, the lower portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion oi' said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said vtop connecting link and said rear connecting link during a. setting up of the article, the axis of said last mentioned shiftable connection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly, and an actuating element mounted on said seat, said actuating element being capable oi' temporary cooperation with a front leg so as to move same automatically from a collapsed position into a spread position, and said actuating element being arranged for disengagement from said front leg when in the set-up article the front leg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit free swinging movements of said seat.

3. A foldable reclining article of furniture,

comprising: a foldable support, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of said pair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiftable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pair of links and the support, a front connecting link, the lower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat. the upper portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point oi said back-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said rear connecting link during a setting-up oi the article. the axis oi said last mentioned shiitabie connection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between thc rear connecting link and the back-rest, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link ior engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardlv. and a leg-rest pivoted to the iront portion oi said seat, said iront connecting link being operatively connected with said leg-rest ior controlling the movements thereoi.

4. A ioldable reclining article oi furniture, comprising: a ioldable support including a pair of connected front legs and a pair oi connected rear legs pivotallv connected with each other, limiting means arranged on a leg ci one oi' said pairs oi legs ior abutting engagement with a leg oi the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread position oi said legs, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-rest pivotaliy connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link oi said pair oi links and said support, a top connecting link, a shiitable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link oi the pair oi links and the support, a iront connecting link. the lower portion oi said iront connecting link being pivoted to the iront portion oi said seat. the upper portion oi' said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion ci said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point i said back-rest. a shiitable connection be tween the upper portion of said rear connecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said rear connecting link during a setting-up oi the article, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link ior engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest oi the set-up article is moved rearwardly, an actuating element mounted on said seat. said actuating element being capable ci temporary cooperation with a iront leg so as to move same automatically irom a collapsed position into a spread position, and said actuating element being arranged for disengagement irom said iront leg when in the set-up article the iront leg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit free swinging movements of said seat. and a leg-rest pivoted to the front portion of said seat,

fhsaid iront connecting link being operatively connected with said 1eg-rest for controlling the movements thereof.

5. A ioldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a ioldable support including a pair oi nnected iront legs and a pair oi connected rear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arranged on a leg of one oi said pairs oi legs for abutting engagement with a leg of the other pair of legs so as to limit the extreme spread position of said legs, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other. a pivotal connection between a link oi said pair oi links and said support. a top connecting link, a first shiitable and pivotal connection between said iop connecting link and said support, at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link oi the pair oi links and the support, a iront connecting link. the lower portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to the iront portion oi said seat, the upper portion of said iront connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link. a second shiftable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said back-rest so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said back-rest during a setting up oi the article, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for abutting engagement with shiitable means of said ilrst shiitabie connection when the back-rest oi the set-up article is moved rearwardly, and an actuating element mounted on said seat. said actuating element being capable oi temporary cooperation with a iront leg so as to move same automatically irom a collapsed position into a spread position, and said actuating element being arranged for disengagement irom said iront leg when in the set-up article said iront leg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit iree swinging movements of said seat. I

6. A ioldable reclining article oi furniture, comprising: a ioldable support including a pair of connected iront legs and a pair oi connected rear legs pivotally connected with each other, limiting means arranged on a leg oi one of said pairs oi legs ior abutting engagement with a leg oi the other pair oi legs, so as to limit the extreme spread position oi' said legs, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link oi said pair oi links and said support. a top connecting link, a first shiitable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said support at a point spaced irom said pivotal connection between the link oi the pair of links and the support, a iront connecting link, the lower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the iront portion of said seat. the upper portion oi said iront connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a second shiitable and pivotal connection between said top connecting link and said back-rest so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said back-rest during a setting up oi the article, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link ior abutting engagement with shiitable means oi said first shiftable connection when the back-rest oi the set-up article is moved rearwardly, and an actuating element mounted on said seat, said actuating element being capable of temporary cooperation with a front leg so as to move same automatically irom a collapsed position into a spread position, and) said actuating element being arranged ior disengagement irom said iront leg when in the set-up article said iront leg is in its extreme spread position so as to permit iree ,swinging movements of said seat, and a leg-rest pivoted to the iront portion oi said seat, said iront connecting link being operatively connected with said leg-rest ior controlling the movements thereof.

7. A ioldable reclining article of furniture, comprising: a ioldable support, a pair oi links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link oi said pair oi' links and said support, a top connecting link, a guiding rod, on said top connecting link, a controlling link, a pivotal connection between the lower portion oi said controlling link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pair oi links and said support, the upper portion oi said controlling link being slidably connected with said guiding rod on the top connecting link, a iront connecting link. the lower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi said seat. the upper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point oi' said back-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connecting link and said top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said rear connecting link during a setting-up of the article. the axis of said last mentioned shiftable connection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between the rear connecting link and the back-rest, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly, and cooperating resilient stopping means arranged on said top connecting link and said controlling link for holding the movable members of the set-up article in the sitting position.

8. A ioldable reclining article of furniture. comprising: a foldable support, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of said pair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a first guiding rod on said top connecting link, a controlling link, a pivotal connection between the lower portion oi' said controlling link and said support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link oi the pair of links and said support, the upper portion of said controlling link being slidably connected with said rst guiding rod on the top connecting link, a front connecting link, the lower portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat. the upper portion of said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a second guiding rod on said top connecting link, a rear connecting link, the lower portion of said rear connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point oi' said back-rest, a shiftable connection between the upper portion of said rear connecting link and said second guiding rod on the top connecting link so as to render possible a relative movement between said top connecting link and said rear connecting link the axis of said last mentioned shif table connection being eccentric to the pivotal connection between the rear con- 16 necting link and the back-rest. and an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with said rear connecting link when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly.

9. A i'oldabie reclining article of furniture, comprising: a ioldable support, a pair of links including a seat and a back-rest pivotally connected with each other, a pivotal connection between a link of said pair of links and said support, a top connecting link, a guiding rod on said top connecting link. a controlling link, a pivotal connection between the lower portion oi said controlling llnk and said' support at a point spaced from said pivotal connection between the link of the pair oi' links and said support, the upper portion oi' said controlling link being slidably con nected with said guiding rod on the top connecting link, a front connecting link, the lower portion'o! said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion oi said seat, the upper portion oi said front connecting link being pivoted to said top connecting link, a roller rotatably mounted on an intermediate point of said backrest, said roller being capable of rolling along said guiding rod, an abutment arranged on said top connecting link for engagement with said roller when the back-rest of the set-up article is moved rearwardly, and a guide securing the engagement oi said roller with said guiding rod.

ANTON LORENZ REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille oi' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 2, 1926 Number Number Certificate or Uorrecuon Patent No. 2,571,463 October 16, 1951 ANTON LORENZ It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 9, line 45, strike out overlooks to hold and insert instead overlooks to hold and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above` so that the ysame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

,f Signed and sealed this 13th day of May, A.. D. 1952.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patenta.

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